Basically

I am a full time professional photographer based in Shepperton, Middlesex.

But far more interestingly

I am a daddy to Oscar and Lydia who keep me young
I am a husband to Elisabeth who keeps me together and is my ideal soul mate. x
My clients come first in my business
Film-wise I love Casablanca, Now Voyager, Citizen Kane, The Apartment and Manhattan
(I have just realised four of those are love stories. Gosh.)

I love watching my clients’ faces the first time they see their images.
I am addicted to ice cream. Vanilla mainly, but can be adventurous when in the mood.
People keep describing me as “A very nice man”. I think that’s OK, don’t you?
My comedy hero is Eric Morecambe – he lifts my spirit whenever I see him or hear him.
I tweet as @MartinGammon
I want to be able to cook perfect roast potatoes and light, well-risen scones. I am working on it.
I want to be able to speak French. (But I’m not working on that one.)

I enjoying training – I make it a point of going on at least three photography and business related course each year.
I’d like to say my weight fluctuates but really it just stays on.
I’d be lost without Laithwaites wine service.
I browse life style blogs too much – my favourite at the moment is A Chi Chi Affair (www.achichiaffair.blogspot.com)

And most importantly:

My day would be made if you called me right now (01932 253308) and we had a chat about your photography.

Looking Room | Family Photography Hints Tips and Advice

Saturday 15 December 2012

In a previous post in this series on improving your family photography, I discussed the Rule of Thirds and how it was useful to think about where in the overall frame you are going to position your subject or subjects. Today, we’ll be looking at another aspect of positioning within a frame: creating Looking Room.

Which of these three shots feels better to you:

Shot A

Shot B

Shot C

For most people, the answer would be Shot C. Let me explain why.

When we are looking or moving around we are more aware of what is in front of us than what is behind us – or even to the side.

We are also concerned about this for other people – how many times have you told a child to “Look where you are going” even though they are walking through an empty park? I certainly have – all the time, it seems! We do it because we feel uncomfortable about possible consequences.

When viewing photography, we get a similar feeling on behalf of the subject – we want them to be able to “see” where they are going. In photography this is referred to as Looking Room.

In Shot A above, Gemma has no looking room and we feel uncomfortable about the shot for this reason. In the second shot, she is centred and so we feel better. But look at it again – does it “feel” to you that there should be more room in front of her than behind?

For most people, Shot C works best. Because we know she can see where she is going, we are not feeling anxious for her and can relaxed and enjoy her exuberance. (Notice how this shot also obeys the Rule of Thirds, which helps.)

A shot to prove that rain does not have to spoil a shoot. It also beautifully illustrates how important Looking Room is in close ups. Again, you will see that Maria has more space in front of her than behind. Do you agree that it just feels right?

A few more examples, covering close up and full length shots:

Even though Freddie is looking into the camera lens and is not moving, we still want him to have Looking Room!

The Looking Room is on the left in this shot because that is the direction Ali’s body is facing – as with Freddie above. It’s a subtle point but important.

Now it’s your turn:

Grab your camera and a willing subject.

Start by taking close-ups and experiment placing your subject’s head to both break and obey this rule. Can you see and feel the difference?

Then, ask them to walk for you and do the same thing. Make sure you also incorporate the Rule of Thirds.

Do you feel an improvement? Would you use this in some of your family photography? Do let me know what you think.

This post is a one in a series on Family Photography hints, tips and advice that I will be posting in the run up to Christmas. Please add a comment here or on my Facebook page if there is any aspect of your photography you’d like some help with.

If you would like an email notifying you when each one is published, just complete this form (you can unsubscribe at any time and I promise to be very, very careful with your information):